NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An EF-3 tornado destroyed homes and businesses in the Amboy Community of North Little Rock on March 31, springing many Arkansans into action to help with the cleanup.
Tranita Kelley, a fifth-grade math teacher at Amboy Elementary, is doing all she can to help the families of her affected students.
While classes were online Wednesday, Kelley said the storm cleanup is a new experience for many people in the area.
"This is something that they've never experienced," Kelley said. "Their parents have never experienced, maybe even their grandparents."
According to Kelley, the severe weather displaced a lot of Amboy Elementary students.
"We have a large population of our students that are at or below the poverty line," Kelley said. "These are families that need assistance right now."
To help provide relief, Kelley created a GoFundMe and hopes to raise at least $1,000 for those who need it most.
"Just being able to make sure that those families are housed," Kelley said. "They don't have to worry about where they're going to stay next."
Kelley's connection with the tight-knit community is something that sparked her inspiration for the GoFundMe page. She said she wanted to let her students know they are loved and cared for.
"It's not just about teaching math, or teaching them things in school that you can learn," Kelley said. "But just being able to be there for them."
Kelley and a few other staff members got together on Tuesday to brainstorm more relief ideas.
Instead of focusing on upcoming state testing when school resumes, Kelley said their focus will be on students' emotional well-being.
"A lot of them are traumatized," Kelley said. "They may not fully understand why they're traumatized."
For those interested in helping Kelley's fundraising efforts, click here.